UFOs and the UK Condign Report

Summary

In 2006, the UK Ministry of Defence received several requests under the Freedom of Information Act to obtain printed copies of the Condign Report, a 465-page document on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). The official response was that the report was already available online on the Ministry of Defence website, and that printed copies were not necessary due to cost and efficiency concerns. It was argued that applicants could access the document through public libraries, which offered free internet access. Despite objections from some applicants, the Ministry rejected the requests citing the absolute exemption under Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act.

The Condign Report, released in response to an information request, concluded that UFO sightings had no value for military intelligence and no further analysis was required. Although some believed the report had not adequately investigated certain cases, such as the Rendlesham Forest incident, the Ministry maintained that there was no evidence of defense significance in those events. The decision to not provide printed copies generated criticism, but the Ministry defended its stance in the name of transparency and administrative efficiency.